My girls have the hearts of an explorer and adventurer. Unfortunately, since we’ve moved to NC, it’s been way too loooong since they’ve had themselves a good adventure.

But all that changed a few days ago! When we got to do some shooting and exploring in the country, my born and bred country-mice couldn’t have been happier!

Sisters holding hands {be still my momma heart} and Piper’s almost as tall as Taylor … which means Piper’s almost as tall as me and I think it also means there’s a very good possibility Piper’ll be taller than Taylor. Pardon my randomness …

{if you’re reading via email or rss feed, please click here to see the following video}

So here we are a-shootin’! Wynter had a spot-on aim! Impressive!! And Piper … well, Piper took a little longer to get the hang of things. A few thoughts:

How many helpers does an 11yo need to shoot a gun?

Where can I get my own set of personalized earplugs?

The gun’s too heavy?!?

And after several painful minutes-that-seemed-like-hours, she would finally pull the trigger, only to have a misfire!

She did it!!

Is Tay-Tay turning a little redneck?

Love this girl ^^ so much! She didn’t want to even give it a try … turns out she kinda liked it!

And this one ^^ was pretty much a natural!

A day in the country was just what this family needed. And it was a good day indeed.

Taylor

Taylor … my precious firstborn … sweet girl, you hold a special place in my heart. You always have and you always will. I’ve always felt so protective of you and your heart. I want so much for you in this life, my love. And what I’ve finally come to realize? YOU want so much for you too! I can’t tell you how much peace it brings me to see the beautiful, mature, young woman you’ve become!

Our Father has His hand on you babygirl. Lean on Him, continue to trust in His plan for your life, and know I will ALWAYS be by your side loving you, cheering for you, and guiding you through.

Piper

Piper, I smile just thinking of you. My wide-eyed-soulful girl. You are a beautiful, precious girl Piper. I pray you take that truth and tuck it deep into your soul and never forget it. You have a deeper sense of the people around you than most others your age. You are a good friend. You’re thoughtful and caring.

The Lord created you for a special purpose … He created you, uniquely you. There’s no other like you Piper J. And I promise to always be here journeying alongside of you as we learn together what your place in this world looks like.

Always remember how loved you are, and how very, very thankful I am that you were given to me to guide through this life.

Wynter

My Wyntie. Oh sweet Wynt. I thought I had you all figured out, but you’ve been surprising me lately. Keeping me on my toes for sure as I try to navigate your emotions.

You’re a blessed girl Wynter. The Lord has blessed you with some amazing gifts, and I pray sweet Wynter, you learn how to harness these gifts to use for good things in your life … and in this world. Along with the gifts He’s given you, you’ve also been blessed with some challenges. “Blessed?” you might ask. “Yes, blessed.” Because blessed are those who can take the challenges allowed in their lives, overcome them, and use them for His glory.

I believe that is your story Wynter. And I can’t wait to watch the pages turn in your life.

Hunter

Hunter, my littlest blessing. You’ve completed our family sweet girl. I didn’t know how badly we needed you until you graced our family with your arrival. It seems you’ve been working to catch up with your sisters since the day you were born. They’ve had their bond formed and you’re struggling to find your place. Keep working sweet girl … keep your heart open and know how much you are loved.

You have a precious place in our family and in this world. There are great things in store for you my love and I can’t wait to watch them unfold!

One of the primary reasons God sent His Son to earth was to bring tender salve and relief to those whose hearts were broken.
~ Beth Moore

The Lord is close to the brokenhearted,
and he saves those whose spirits have been crushed.
Psalm 34:18 {NCV}

As I watched the girls take off on their scooters last week, I couldn’t help but smile at how resilient and {God} protected they’ve been.

It goes without saying they’ve been through some difficult circumstances over the last few years. And I’m not sure why, but I’m amazed time and again at how joyful their little spirits have remained through it all.

We’ve had some new changes in our lives recently, and as I watched them go, I marveled at how they seem to take it all in stride.

Truly, it can only be explained by the tender salve and relief {brought by our God} to those whose hearts were broken.

Thank you Lord.

As they crossed the street and disappeared into the park across the street, I went inside the house to finish up some chores. I was busy upstairs when Wynter came flying into the house shouting, “THE ICE CREAM TRUCK!! Can we have some money for ice cream?!”

I came flying down the stairs shouting, “GRAB MY PURSE!!”

We found some money and off she went running with me high-tailing it close behind her.

I LOVED the ice cream truck as a kid! In fact it’s probably one of my favorite memories! I used to get the ice cream that had a bubble gum at the bottom … kind of a two-fer-one deal!

Anyway.

I stood watching my born & raised country-mice experience the ice cream truck for the very first time. My heart full. Moments earlier I was smiling in wonder at their resilience. And as I watched them make their decisions carefully, I thanked the Lord once again.

It’s in these small memorable moments they’re wrapped in His tender salve and relief. And I’m thankful.

It all started with a crazy idea from a friend wondering if the girls and I would want to come down to Orlando for a program at her church.

I thought about it … but not too long … I was just crazy enough to say YES!

So … the girls and I are headed to Florida this morning! But they don’t know!! I think surprising them is the thing I’m most excited about! Well … that and getting to see Stacey!

The girls think they have to go to school this morning, but I’m letting them sleep in and we’ll see what happens when they wake up.

Then on Saturday we’ll explore one of the theme parks {I’m going to let them choose … Disney, Universal Studios, a water park?}.

I’m sorta bursting and wanted to share!

Thanks for listening!

Have a blessed weekend!

As you were …

]]>http://www.traciestierjohnson.com/cant-wait/feed/16thankful for my girls …http://www.traciestierjohnson.com/thankful-for-my-girls/
http://www.traciestierjohnson.com/thankful-for-my-girls/#commentsThu, 24 Nov 2011 05:41:19 +0000http://www.traciestierjohnson.com/?p=10684 ... Read More]]>God blessed me good with these four! They are each so unique. So different. They tick in opposite ways and as frustrating exhausting as it can be to figure each of them out … it’s the most rewarding challenge I’ve taken.

These girls are beautiful souls. They fill me. They sustain me.

We have a long way to go in our journey together … and I don’t know four better gifts to walk it with.

I love you ladies … more than words would ever do justice … I love you.

]]>http://www.traciestierjohnson.com/thankful-for-my-girls/feed/12thoughts on parenting :: individuality {repost}http://www.traciestierjohnson.com/thoughts-on-parenting-individuality-repost/
http://www.traciestierjohnson.com/thoughts-on-parenting-individuality-repost/#commentsMon, 01 Aug 2011 08:21:26 +0000http://www.traciestierjohnson.com/?p=9705 ... Read More]]>This post reminds me that my girls are all different … and to answer my own question, I believe that my job as a parent is to foster confidence and individuality.{original post 6.4.09}

Yesterday was “dress like your favorite book character” at school. Fun, no?

Here’s the thing with my girls … they are pretty much their own little individuals. I use to be harder on what I made let them wear … including Taylor. Really, mostly with Taylor. She groomed the way for the little girls.

When Taylor was six or seven, she had on a pair of bootcut pants that were about 2-3 inches well above her ankle. Seeing that they were bootcut, she sure wasn’t gettin’ away with a capri look!

Anyway. I told her to change her pants and she got upset. “You just want me to be perfect,” she yelled said. Stopped me in my tracks.

Wasn’t so much I wanted her to be perfect, as I wanted others to think she was perfect. Hmm.

She taught me something.

So now days {and for the last six or seven years}, I pretty much let them have their own style. In fact, at church this past week, Wynter’s Sunday school teacher stopped me and remarked at what great style my girls have.

Note: Wynter was wearing polka-dots … a bright pink variety on her sweater {that was probably layered over something striped} and light pink pants with a different polka-dotted variety.

“Gee, thanks,” I said to the teacher. “They do dress themselves,” I added, lest she think their style was my style! Right?

Anyway. So back to today’s theme.

I’ve been asking the girls what character they’d like to dress up as … I had a few ideas of my own! Ladybug Girl, maybe a Bible character, the classic Cinderella {or one of her princess friends}, and then of course the fallback … Fancy Nancy. But nah … they had their own thoughts on what they were going to do.

They had their costumes all picked out and ready to go. Piper was going to be the Fairy Godmother and Wynter was going to be Fancy Nancy. They wouldn’t let me help with the costumes at all. Everything I suggested was either too itchy, or not right. So I watched as they put their outfits together.

Piper ended up with a really pretty ballerina type skirt with beautiful tulle and flowers; a fairy cape; the purple bodysuit she’s sporting above; and I was trying to convince her to wear her glittery Converse. So she’s all set.

Wynter picked out a beautiful Cinderella character dress she got for Christmas. She had the shoes, a tiara … she’s all set. Oh! and I should mention … she’s not going as Cinderella … she’s going as Fancy Nancy.

They set everything out in their closets and go to bed. When we get up the next morning, they get into their costumes … and look great. Whew … all set.

Wait … those descriptions don’t at all match these photos, do they? What happened?

Individuality, patience, and letting go, is what happened.

They were all dressed and ready to go, when they changed their minds. They wanted to dress in something different. Huge sigh from mama … “all right, go change.”

This is what they come back with. Can you see the stain on Wynter’s dress? My-oh-my … is it courage I have for sending them to school like this … or stupidity?

Wynter is still Fancy Nancy {did you look at the link folks? she ain’t lookin’ so fancy … or so nancy!}. And getta look at her shoes … well, more precisely, the socks!

And Piper, I assumed was still a fairy godmother. But when we got in the car, I thought I should double check, so asked her what she was … she said she didn’t know. I thought of a few things, but she said no … she wasn’t that. She was perfectly happy with not having her costume defined.

And I couldn’t resist sharing these photos of Hunter. She decided it was dress-up day at her school too! My baby …

Okay, here’s the thing … I really love their individuality. I love they are confident in who they are and what they want … well, unless it involves a tantrum in the middle of Target.

But when we got to school and I saw all the beautiful costumes … Harry Potter, Olivia, mermaids, Thing 1 and Thing 2 {a sister team … incredible!} … I had pangs of letting my kids down.

A friend of mine, and fellow mom … asked what Piper was, and I tried to blow it off so I didn’t have to say, “she doesn’t know.” When she asked Piper directly what she was, Piper answered in complete confidence, “I don’t know.”

I kind of whispered above Piper to my friend, “she just wanted to get dressed up and this is what she chose.” My friend said, “Oh! It wasn’t a big deal? Cuz it was a really big deal in our house.” I felt hurt. It was a big deal in our house too … but I let the kids have the freedom of being what they wanted.

I got in the car feeling sad for them. Questioning my parenting style.

Should I have been stronger about dressing them up? Did I do them a disservice? Are they sad they aren’t more dressed up? Or am I just worrying too much about what other people think? Hmm.

I’ve been pondering this a lot yesterday and today, and I guess when all is said and done … I would prefer they have the freedom to be individuals. I would prefer they continue to be confident in who they are, what they look like and how they’re dressed.

And now that I think about it … Hunter went to school today in her pajama gown. Not because I didn’t try to get her dressed … but because she felt like it.

Our house came with a pier, dock and boat slip … minus the boat. So one of the first things I did was get ourselves a boat! In fact, as I was writing out the check on my tenth wedding anniversary … I thought, “happy anniversary to me!”

And then there’s the thought of the whole-motor-under-the-boat-thing. And it didn’t help that when we picked up the boat, the dealer told us a story of just a few days before a man falling out of his boat and running himself over and losing limbs. True story.

But anyway.

I took it slow and learned what I could learn. Like for instance … the boat should be in the water before one starts the engine. Yeah. It’s like that.

But once we got that puppy in the water … off we went! And because the weather’s so warm, we’ve been out on the lake pretty much since we got here in May.

I took these photos of the girls mid-May …

And this past week, we found a new lake activity … wakeboarding! Three outta four gave it a try …

But only two could get out of the water. I’ve gotta tell you though … I’m so proud of her for giving it a try! She tried over and over …

Lastly … here we have our favorite pastime! The girls could spend hours on a tube! If you make it to .40 seconds or so, the girls take a wicked flip!

]]>http://www.traciestierjohnson.com/lake-livin/feed/9a new way to make friendshttp://www.traciestierjohnson.com/a-new-way-to-make-friends/
http://www.traciestierjohnson.com/a-new-way-to-make-friends/#commentsTue, 28 Jun 2011 08:36:58 +0000http://www.traciestierjohnson.com/?p=9355 ... Read More]]>The girls have recently learned some new card and magic tricks … they’re obsessed … and share with anyone who comes near! So when they got tired of the same ol’ audience {me, Taylor and Hunter} … they decided to set up a stand at the end of the driveway. And the best part? they were going to donate their profits to Africa to help build an orphanage! Love my girls!

Anyway … they didn’t make a profit … but they did make friends! We had no idea, but 2 girls live just 2 doors down from us! They saw Piper and Wynter sitting out, so decided to come over {personally, I think they thought they’d be getting some lemonade out of the visit!}.

In the photo below, Piper and Wynter are looking at the neighbor girls walking over … it was sort of mirage and surreal-like. They’ve been wanting to find other kids to play with, so these 2 girls seemed to drop straight from Heaven! :)

They shared a few magic tricks and then spent the afternoon at the girls house … while I felt the bliss of a grocery store visit – sans kids!

This was the best twenty bucks I’ve spent in a long time! The girls had hours of fun on it … and I had one of the best laughs I’ve had in a while after I took my turn! Let’s all shout a hallelujah that no one got that on film!

Have a great weekend everyone! I hope you get a chance to do some slip slidin’ yourselves …

On our recent stay in Exuma, the girls did a lot of snorkeling. A. lot! They’ve even worked their way up to using fins!

When I was a kid, I was afraid of what was on the other side of our 24 foot pool{and let’s not even discuss what was lurking under the cover that wasn’t pulled all the way off}! But these girls … they jump into, and swim off into an ocean with no fear!

This trip Huntie was brave enough to give it a try too! LOVE the yellow fins!! She climbed into the water into CJ’s arms and stayed there for a cruise around the boat. In fact, she came back into the boat with dry hair. But as they went out time and time again … she got braver and finally started looking under. Don’t get me wrong … she’s turning into an amazing swimmer … but maybe she’s got a little bit of mom in her and is a little apprehensive of that great big ocean!

And yep! You’re seeing clearly … that’s a real lobster the girls are holding! Caught right in the Bahamian waters of Exuma. And my girls gave it some love … right before we had it for dinner! =)

And lastly … a new science experiment! Drinking club soda through a flower …